UPDATE: Dental Assistants Bureau of Labor and Statistics

Quick Facts: Dental Assistants
2019 Median Pay$40,080 per year
$19.27 per hour
Typical Entry-Level EducationPostsecondary nondegree award
Work Experience in a Related OccupationNone
On-the-job TrainingNone
Number of Jobs, 2018346,000
Job Outlook, 2018-2811% (Much faster than average)
Employment Change, 2018-2838,700

What Dental Assistants Do

Dental assistants provide patient care, take x rays, keep records, and schedule appointments.

Work Environment

Almost all dental assistants work in dentists’ offices. Most work full time.

How to Become a Dental Assistant

There are several possible paths to becoming a dental assistant. Some states require assistants to graduate from an accredited program and pass an exam. In other states, there are no formal educational requirements, and dental assistants learn through on-the-job training.

Pay

The median annual wage for dental assistants was $40,080 in May 2019.

Job Outlook

Employment of dental assistants is projected to grow 11 percent from 2018 to 2028, much faster than the average for all occupations. The aging population and ongoing research linking oral health and general health will lead to continued increases in the demand for preventive dental services.

State & Area Data

Explore resources for employment and wages by state and area for dental assistants.

Similar Occupations

Compare the job duties, education, job growth, and pay of dental assistants with similar occupations.

More Information, Including Links to O*NET

Learn more about dental assistants by visiting additional resources, including O*NET, a source on key characteristics of workers and occupations.

See Orginial Article at:

https://www.bls.gov/OOH/healthcare/dental-assistants.htm

January 20, 2021